Duncan man killed Thursday morning after his vehicle was hit by a train

Lyman teen also killed, hit by train Wednesday in Greer

Richard Darrell West Sr., 47, of Duncan died Thursday after the vehicle he was driving traveled up this embankment near Wellford and was struck by a train.

ALEX C. HICKS JR/alex.hicks@shj.com

From staff reports

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:09 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:09 a.m.

A Duncan man died Thursday morning after his vehicle was hit by a train near Wellford. It was the second train-related death in Spartanburg County within about 12 hours.

The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office identified the man as 47-year-old Richard Darrell West Sr. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coroner Rusty Clevenger said West's vehicle went up an embankment onto the tracks and was hit by an oncoming train. Authorities were called to the scene, near Syphrit and Tucapau roads, shortly after 5:30 a.m.

Wellford Police Chief Jeff Bowers said the wreck was the first fatality in the city in three years. The incident is still under investigation.

On Wednesday night, 18-year-old Ryan Andrew Greenwood of Lyman was hit by a train near Moore and 4th streets in Greer. According to a report from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the train engineer told authorities he tried to stop the train and blew the horn, but Greenwood remained on the tracks.

"I urge all in our county to be mindful that trains can be deadly if not given the proper respect and caution needed to avoid collisions," Clevenger said.

<p>A Duncan man died Thursday morning after his vehicle was hit by a train near Wellford. It was the second train-related death in Spartanburg County within about 12 hours.</p><p>The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office identified the man as 47-year-old Richard Darrell West Sr. He was pronounced dead at the scene.</p><p>Coroner Rusty Clevenger said West's vehicle went up an embankment onto the tracks and was hit by an oncoming train. Authorities were called to the scene, near Syphrit and Tucapau roads, shortly after 5:30 a.m.</p><p>Wellford Police Chief Jeff Bowers said the wreck was the first fatality in the city in three years. The incident is still under investigation.</p><p>On Wednesday night, 18-year-old Ryan Andrew Greenwood of Lyman was hit by a train near Moore and 4th streets in Greer. According to a report from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the train engineer told authorities he tried to stop the train and blew the horn, but Greenwood remained on the tracks.</p><p>"I urge all in our county to be mindful that trains can be deadly if not given the proper respect and caution needed to avoid collisions," Clevenger said.</p>